Residents are being urged not to hang up on telemarketers conducting a new study on the health of Perthshire’s retail sector.
The £30,000 survey was commissioned by Perth and Kinross Council to assess town centre and retail challenges across the region. It will be used gauge shopping habits as well as informing future developments and investments.
Consultants have been given the job of ringing round thousands of homes and businesses to ask about their feelings on modern-day shopping.
The local authority has encouraged people to take part in the survey. In a post on social media, a spokeswoman said: “Work has recently begun on the latest retail study for Perth and Kinross Council.
“The study is carried out every five years to help inform local development policies across the region.”
She said: “Market research company NeMS are currently carrying out telephone surveys for the council as part of the study to gather information on shopping habits. If you get a call, your participation would be much appreciated.
“The council would like to thank all residents who have already taken part.”
However, the survey has been criticised by residents online. One Facebook user responded: “Very few people will take part in telephone surveys nowadays, because of fear of it being scammers.”
Others have said that a questionnaire on the internet would have been better
The study was planned before McEwens’ shock closure announcement in March.
City centre businesses have called for major changes including a parking review.